Skype for iPhone: Update for iOS 4 coming soon
We’ve updated our iPhone app – you can now make video calls.
Update: it’s out 
There’s a lot of excitement among the mobile team here at Skype, as both iOS 4 and the iPhone 4 will arrive on our desks this week. And we’ve been hard at work building an update to our iPhone app which will support multitasking in iOS 4.
With every update to the iPhone OS (now called iOS), Apple introduces a number of changes to the software. In order to make sure we give you the best experience possible, we need to carry out some additional tests with the final version of iOS 4.
When we’re confident that the app will live up to your high expectations, we’ll make it available for download. Stay tuned!
A1, acrobits is simply a piece of software that makes voip work on your iPhone – they are not a telco. So your one off cost of eur 6 or usd 8 is purely got the software and support/updates as necessary. However, it is compatible with loads of VOIP providers. The provider I use gives rates of 2 cent a minute or less to most landlines throughout the world, and rates to cell phones are less than half (in some cases) of the rates that skype are looking for. No charges or restrictions for 3G! Incoming calls depend on your supplier also, but with mine, no problem. Configure the account details into acrobits, and you will receive incoming calls as I have already described. Most VOIP providers will give you the option of a local number (that is local to your home geographical location) so if your friends or family want to call you while you are on the other side of the world, it won’t cost you anything and it will only cost them the price of a local landline call. My provider even emails you your voicemail as a.wav file, which can be played directly from your email inbox on the iPhone. However, not every provider will do this, so you should shop around for these features.
All the best!
mhibm13 commented Sunday, Jul 4
Well obviously a person with such persistence to make a fool out of me, you must be quite fond of yourself. If your going to just post anything you want and start blabbing on about something that people really don’t even care about, then get heck outta here. Your, how do I put this nicely, replacing the contents of this page to further justify your own personal needs by telling others the precautions of such a program and the “correct” solution.
Simply put, your an immature child who’s looking to benefit his/herself. So why don’t you lay off and go cry to mommy or something. Your comments are useless here anyway.
I think it’s pretty obvious to anyone reading here who the infantile egomaniac troll is ( and it isn’t me). I mentioned acrobits purely to put the failings of skype on the iPhone-in it’s present form- into some sort of perspective. Obviously lost on someone like you who is apparently happy to revel in mediocrity. So once again, unless you have something constructive to add (which is looking increasingly unlikely), SSHHHH, the adults are talking!
I don’t know who posted this but it’s time to repost. Skype is pulling htmls off this blog so you will have to make the one “dot” change I have: http://whenwillskypereleaseios4appdotcom/
I’m findin this pretty comical. Your goin off into oblivion on how messed up I am. I havnt heard one constructive thought out of you since my comment. So unless u messed up little puck brat wants to say something actually useful to this conversation, go ahead. Otherwise, (highly doubt it), let the professionals handle it.
And you said you wanted something “constructive”, right? I just so happen to work for an app company myself. I know that although Skype has presented a version of their app in April, based upon improvements needed to be made to accommodate ios4 that couldn’t be displayed on a correct scale. They showed a functioning version, yes, but that does not mean their prepared for what the public could put the test to. I also know that app releases and updates have been extremly jammed. For all we know it could be out in a day or two. If you have any other questions concerning my thoughts, please don’t hesitate to ask, unless your some immature child who cant seem to get a grip on himself (hmmmm now who could that be?)
Let’s play nice. This has never been about a purely tech issue. It is skype’s arrogant and dimisive tone. Let’s face you when you play for high stakes you better be able to handle the fallout. Again there is no way to defend 1 year + and no push notification. this is indefensible. That why I say look at that abysmal track record and don’t wonder why they are not ready for ios4.
mhibm13…. interesting comments… you do sound like a responsible professional who knows what he/she is talking about … NOT! You are all over the map with your comments … I don’t care what their “core” business is, what they have done for me, etc…. they were given the WORLD stage by Apple to demonstrate their VOIP multitasking push notification app… they raised everyone’s expectations…. they didn’t deliver and they don’t feel they have any responsibility to their patrons to explain anything!!! What planet are you on? I don’t necessarily feel like playing nice with people who are clueless about what we are frustrated about. Read the blog and quit worrying if someone is trying to rattle your feathers.
You know what, your absolutly right…..
Not getting back to the REALITY of the situation, it seems as though you haven’t the slightest clue of what I’m tring to point out. I don’t know if you’ve notice, but apps that need updates have been going a bit slow lately, right? There’s a “jam” of new updates to accommodate ios4 on the new apps, and Skype is given no special treatment.
But, after careful consideration, I can see that my words are deemed useless by all of whom who read this. Let me rephrase that, all of whom who has posted today. But do I care, not really. Am I leaving, not a chance. Are you a Skype employee threatening to remove my account in which I barley use, no. So back off and actually think before you speak. Or in this case, type. God bless.
This is exactly what skype wants. Skype sits idly by,while you argue. Skype is the real problem with no responsibility to their customers. They are nothing more than cowards. That includes you Mr. Parkes.
To all of you who are thinking the app is in the approval process…how the fuck is it going to be there if they haven’t even submitted the update to Apple yet? Developers of apps that are this popular tell their customers when they have submitted an update for their app. Don’t tell me their 3G update took more than 150 days to get approved.
hey got 4 updates today not one of them skype WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No matter what we might feel about the failure of Skype to provide an app when expected or their continued failure to provide the app or even a timetable they have too many things going on at the same time. Also, they are headed face to face up against Apple with their video calling “…coming out later this year….We’re betting big on video, and we intend to set the bar on mobile video calling, and it’s something we’re going to do this year.” Of course, this is for Android phones because most likely Apple would not let them submit one for the iphone with Face Time available on iphone4. So, at this point I think we are going to have to take a back seat and wait it out until they get “a round tuit”.
I’ve thouroughly tested all popular voip apps currenly availible both from a functionality, call quality, useability and pricing standpoint. My top 3 are (in no particular order), Acrobits, Skype and Siphon. My intent, as I am sure most of the people here are looking to do also, is to replace the native phone app with VOIP (aka go all data and cancel voice). Here is my take:
Skype – Pros: nice call quality. Nice features other then phone (ie sms, chat…etc). WHen all is said and done, will end up costing around $8/mo ($5 for # and $2.95 for domestic calling). Cons: Slow app startup, can’t recieve calls when app is closed (not even push notifications…etc). Does not play nice with Backgrounder (JB phones only). And worst of all, Skype is unresponsive to the massive outpouring of customer feedback, such as this forum.
Acrobits – Pros: Extreamly good call quality with 729.A codec. Can choose sip provider. Did the best they could with 3.1.3, as they do send push nots when app is closed. CONS: App is not free (around $18 when all is said and done). I use callcentric as the sip provider. Charges are $1.95/mo for # + $.015/min domestic. (aka for $5 you get 330 mins, but you can use them anytime, not just within a month) App takes a while to fire up from cold start, so even with a push notification, you may not be able to answer call in time (but at least you know that a incoming call came in). Does not play nice with Backgrounder (JB phones only)
Siphon (JB phones only) – Pros: this is my favorite VOIP app currently. App is free and costs are the same as Acrobits (callcentric sip). Plays nice with backgrounder. Very fast to start up. Good call quality. Has VM notifications (like standard phone app). CONS: Doesn’t display badges on homescreen icon.
I am eager to see which one of the apps listed above delivers first. Personally, I think there is a significant opportunity now that snapple has opened up the door for VOIP. First app that functions just like the native iphone phone app (or gets close enough) wins my business. If I had to take a wild guess, I think Siphon will win the race, followed by Acrobits, and Skype will be dragging in the rear. Good luck to all.
Hey. Skype
Just take a look at what these guys are doing to explain delayed release of their app for iPad.
http://blog.mindmeister.com/2010/07/05/ipad-app-update/
Is it so difficult to make this simple information available to all the people who are your dedicated customers? I understand the delay, but I just don’t understand your obstinate silence.
in South Africa we have a saying, which roughly translated, means “now now”. Colloquially this does not mean double quick time – instead it implies a time frame between now and some distant future point. So I guess the Skype developers are working on “now now” time. What a shame, and definately very poor PR
PETER PARKES ….Would you be so kind as to give us an update? Thanks in Advance!
The real truth is that Skype is working hand in glove with AT&T and you are not about to see the new Skype version for iOS 4 anytime soon. Meaning that AT&T, already can’t handle the “iphone data” as it is. Now you know why it is free for another couple of months. Just like AT&T stopped offering unlimited data on the 7th of June the same day Apple and Steve Jobs announced that Netflix will be available in 3G this summer and just as 3G for Skype came out (coincidence? I don’t think so). How would you like to use Netflix with a limited data plan? They all work together, Apple + AT&T and whoever provides the app. In this case Skype. And this is NOT done in YOUR interest: the consumer. But they are rather working on how they can pull one over you and make more and more money while providing you with a pathetic monopolistic service. American companies are NOT competing for the iPhone as it is in England, France etc… . Welcome to the good old soviet ERA. Thank you Steve Jobs you are making Bill Gates from Microsoft look like a Boy scout. And SKYPE! STOP BSing us we ARE NOT STUPID. The 4G EVO looks better every day! people! people! wake-up and smell THE GREED! I owned all the iPhone generations but now you have to realize the iPhone is passé. They ripped us off for too long. Enough is enough! You still have time to return your iphone. It is not too late. Only idiots Never change their minds.
johncarter…..so are you trying to tell us that Skype, Apple, ATT etc are trying to drain every last cent out of our pockets….? I think you’re on to something…but I thought that was a given… At least Skype has been reasonably priced, if only they would give us the app they promised. And I could agree with you on several points but the problem is that we have paid for a lot of apps out of the itunes store so it is not just a matter of returning the iphone…. We’d all have to start over with android apps. As for me, I have a factory unlocked iphone (from australia) and I don’t use ATT and never would so your suggestion is not something I would seriously entertain… In any case, we are all right here twiddling our thumbs waiting for Skype to give us our app in this life time.
Please please please please please skype developer people…..
Make your skype app on iphone 4 use the front facing and rear facing camera on iPhone 4! I just bought one and as you can imagine, no one I know has facetime but loads of my friends have skype…. PLEASE make your app use the camera to work with skype like facetime does – it would rock. Everyone will buy an iphone 4 and everyone will want to use skype!
Be the first, be the best – make it happen
Yet another long term promise…
Get in line for video calls. You are 3rd in the Q. Following Push and multitasking. We are sorry all customer service has been put on hold as well as your patience.
Well Skype, its officially been a month since you got chance to begin testing against the final version of IOS 4 which was released to the public on the 7th of June.
Congratulations for managing to have one of the longest testing phases for a small development project in the history of IT
Lets hope when you finally release the IOS4 compatible version it wont be buggy because you won’t be able to pretend you didn’t have enough time to test it!
Wow, Skype ignores 271 posts… Now they have another one they can not respond to. I really hope someone fills the void.
Please add video chat for iPhone 4 users!
@mrsimmouk not to defend skype in any way but iOS 4 was released to the public on June 21st not June 7th ! and here is my video about it
:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEBVxXoyRcA
I pay for Skype unlimited world, have a number, and all… thinking of switching because of customer service. No answer to all these comments only supports my cause and further increases dissatisfaction in the product.
@peykanash iOS4 Master Candidate has been available since June 7th for developers which skype is and also I know somebody who works for skype and skype had an iPhone 4 before June 7th for testing apple obviously wanted this app ready which it isn’t . ios4 was publicly available June 21st but developers had it before then me being a developer
@tannemauk. Does your friend have any idea what skype is up to?
Monkey’s fly, rocks turn to gold, and skype finally updates their app for iOS4.
Or not.
IMHO Skype lies, we are not going to see a multitasking version. AT&T probably made apple block them, since nobody would use minutes if there was a free alternative.
Thanks for your patience everyone – as I said earlier, as soon as it’s ready, we’ll release it. We don’t have any additional information to share at the moment.
“Thanks for your patience everyone – as I said earlier, as soon as it’s ready, we’ll release it. We don’t have any additional information to share at the moment.”
Yawn, yawn, yawn…
I would rather you tell me you have shake hands with the devil (at&t) and choose not to release Skype for iOS 4 now rather than treating us like retards…
And no need to thank me as I am running out of patience very very soon… I mean, seriously, you are in the iOS 4 presentation on April 8th demoing Skype for iOS4… That was exactly 3 f*cking months ago! And you have the guts to tell us it is still not ready??? Com’on Pete…
Please please please add bluetooth support, I just bought a bt headset Just to use Skype with, only to realize that skype does not even support bt, boy do I feel stupid…
but seriously bluetooth is important and a must have function to ensure comfort and safety(driving) while talking on the cell, so please have it ready! Thanks for all the hard work!
We know you’re lying Pete, and all of the skype iPhone team. If you’re not then tell us whats really going on. We will change platforms. That is obvious, it will start happing on a growing scale soon. Truphone already supports iOS4. Its only matter of time before Android provides all the skype services you can get over a standard connection with your PC. We WILL leave you now stop fucking around before we do.
please let TUAW,macrumors etc………,know what is going on . Any one who has connections please put the word out
Fring just updated their app! Of course, like everyone else, I’m tired of waiting for Skype.
guys you must try the new fring. it’s great
no need wait for skype
Wow, Fring has an iOS 4 app out before Skype. &#’SURPRISE’#&
And it seems to work just like it should – if you are on another screen, it comes across the top, and even if you have the phone locked it brings it out of standby.
SHAME ON YOU SKYPE – a 3rd party app has to this for you, while you sit on your hands! What is wrong with you people?
Fring! Works very well – even video chat over 3G!
Line2 was quick to update, but $15/mo. is too expensive. Now I’m using Google Voice with Gizmo5 (bought acct for $7 on eBay) routed through Fring. Google Voice over VoIP w/o using any cell minutes!!!
Too late, Skype. You had your chance. We’ve moved on. Nothing to see here.
Guys. There is better option: fring. It works as a charming. Background running, video chat…. Why bother waiting for skype never-come update.
Now the 9th July, still no update… ah well, bye bye skype, hello Fring… Been nice knowing you. NOT
Thanks for the advice on Fring. It’s pretty good. Background action is perfect. If the voice quality over skype was a little better I’d kiss skype’s app goodbye!! Damn it! Stoopid useless skype!
hey guys.. thanks for the info about the fring app!! hahaha i love it!! never heard about this app since today. but im not quiting skype haha i still love skype!!
It make sense now probably why skype taking their time to fix the app as after using fring and nimbuz who updated the app today, it need to b bug free. Both apps are good too however don’t try and use video calling as it will freeze.
I am sure we skype will be updating shortly.
All the best
It seems as though a considerable number of options are evolving as a result of ios4 and at the end of the day we will pick the winner. Gizmo will be interesting to watch since it was taken over by Google. Fring, Line2 etc. Despite the delays will Skype exceed our expectations i.e. if they can get their app out before xmas. I have to say that I strongly dislike their corporate policy in regards to the release of information or updates of their “coming soon” app as expressed by their rep. i.e. Mr. Parkes. It’s not a matter of our patience…it’s their decision to provide no information whatsoever. Patience be damned is their policy.
It looks like dirty work afoot – the skype option disappeared from mu updated fring application this evening. I thought it was just me, but i have done a quick search and lots of other fring/skype users on other platforms (than Iphone) are reporting the same thing! Could skype have pulled the plug?
Skypes silence on the update issue has been deafening, maybe its time they stopped hiding and finally explained to everyone what their problem is? Well Mr Parkes???????
Just found this on the Fring web-site, though I doubt if it is the full story either
“Wow. What can we say… this is great !
Since adding 2-way video calling on iPhone 4 yesterday we have seen another huge jump in fring video calling.
As even more fringsters video call their friends on Android, Nokia and iPhones, we have seen some network ’stress’ (as the techies are telling me). So to free up capacity for more the fring-to-fring video calling, we are temporarily reducing support to 3rd –party Skype. Thanks for your patience.
fringsters, enjoy your video calling, and SEE you later”
Chances are, skype brought some pressure to bear!
If you aren’t worried about video chat, and just want iOS 4 VoIP, Nimbuzz updated too. Works great with my Google Voice + Gizmo5! And their servers are probably more stable than fring’s right now, since there aren’t a million and 1 people video chatting.
The VOIP world is turning around and around for the iphone!
BUT most of us just want a simple multitasked push notification app from Skype…that would make us happy